Full justice devolution to Wales 'not on agenda'

A UK MINISTER has appeared to "row back" on a commitment to devolve powers over probation and youth justice to Wales, with Westminster set to retain responsibility.

- CHRIS HAINES ICNN Senedd reporter [e-mail]

In 2019, an independent commission - led by Lord Thomas, the former head of the judiciary - recommended that justice policy should be "determined and delivered" in Wales.

But nearly six years on, devolution has stalled, with Welsh and UK ministers suggesting a phased and piecemeal approach to transferring powers as happened in Greater Manchester.

In November, a report set out three options for devolution - transfer of executive powers, full lawmaking and executive responsibilities, or an agreement on commissioning services.

And, giving evidence to the Senedd equality and social justice committee today, ministers implied the Welsh and UK Governments will pursue the co-commissioning model.

Lord Timpson, the UK prisons and probation minister, intimated that devolution would not be a priority amid "massive pressures" on the justice system.

Mick Antoniw, the former counsel general or chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government, pointed to "volumes of evidence" that devolution of probation "needs to happen and quickly!